Receptacle and closure means therefor



March 1945- s.' J. RUDOLPH RECEPTACLE AND CLOSURE MEANS THEREFOR Filed May 10, 19

Patented Mar. 6, 1945 ,A'REGEPTACLE AND CLOSURE-{MEANS .THEREEOR *Sidney J-LRudolphflittsburglfi la. 'Application May =10, ls4sgeseri tmoiesa4zo 8 Claims. (c1.'-222 *559) My invention relatesa-to a; closure. :means- (for closing orifices, slotsor similaraopeningsvof rigid or collapsible ireceptacles;.butrmore particularly relatesto a'receptacle comprising a closure means composed of..parts which are ioinedsto thei're- ;eeptacle,1 the :closure;meansxcomprising fonexpart,

hereinafter referred to. as a cap-seatpwhich' has an openin therethroughithrough whichlthe contents for or of the receptacle. can pa-ss;;'and:an

;zsitions:;of ithamp; ifihd-rcamandecap-seati are TIDIOVj-dfid with.:interlooking;'-:means which enable the (CflDJItOiiSl-id6f2835fl5l. along the zcap-seat .from :zonen positions where fit is: comparatively loose on z. the cap-seat, to closing posit-ions, firmlyengaging -,.the pap-seat inc-any suchaclosing,-position;.'the interlocking meansn alson-causingi :the 1 pressurerforce on-the: cap,:.to:.-ac@- in.: directions which pro- ,.duce 1noi-tendencyvto move the cap: away: rfrom other.part,hereinafterreferred to as ahcap, whichluoi any closing,positioneini-which it 'was .-place.d,- so

' is movable alongthe ,capeseatt0;a:=position closr ing .or covering the. opening'cta. tightly, seal ,it;. or ;to 1 positions zipartiallyiclosing :or covering ethe opening to controlgtherate oflpassa'ge of the cont that [the :cap will-remainput until moved bysome 1 externally applied force.

; It 51333, .further object: oft'my invention, to :prowide a rreceptac-len-havingr a closure means. of the tents. of athereceptaclavor;to.= at-positionifiiHweX-eifl5 type; described; which-earn beteconomically: and

, posing? the opening. rBrefer'ably, itheparts :are :so related that .the. cap .tightlmengagesjthe cap-seat in fully or1partiallyrclosed:positiomandjs comparatively loose on thercap-seatin open position; the capphowever, being interlockedawith thecap- MQO provide :a ,closureameanshof theftype d r seat in all its positions so that it will not=:separate from .the receptacle: proper.

= It is an object: of my:inventionrrtmprovidew a closure means. having a- 'closing cap; [.restrictably .nmovable to :and between:opening-coveringmand zfi additioneto those aforesaid can be; gathered from the following 1' description-thereof; which is-tobe opening-,uncovering'npositions 2') by Jsimplez-atectilinear'smovements"which can. be::exe.cuted manually; the Leaptendinggtowremain:intheipositiorrin which it1isset.

:It is an importantpbiect ofi'my rinventiontto provide a-receptacle, preferably a glass receptacle, having acap-seat through-which a'dispensing; Jor discharge-,openingz.passes,. and a; cap slidablezon a thecap-seat forrtightlyland leaklessly closingithe discharge-opening or! for :partially closin I:1the-3 i discharge-opening while'firmly seated on the1capseat, .for controllingwthe' discharge=rate ofrtthe,

- contents of the receptacle.

, In; accordanceawith :certain preferred forms of my invention, the cap and-:capr'seat arersoiormed as to cause :the'partsnto berpressed or forced. together when the capis imazpositiorr-fullyorpar- *tially closing. the" discharge -opening;'thexpressure on the contacting-surfaces: of;,themcapiandzcapseat being: substantially uniformly-distributed M5 thereoverfon asuflicient area to-keep' the: cap :in relatively fixed-position .on the eapeseati wherever the: capis placed for fullyxonparti'ally, closing the discharge-opening. 1? In closed: position: ithepcontastin s areas arevsufiiciently large, about :thezdis- M50 charge-opening to sin-sure a ttight "1 closure "by abutting relation-of such-areas. To this'endfthe general shape or form of theabhttingsurfaces. of i the-cap: ,and'zcarr-seat corresponchso. that; they-fit readily PIOdHCBdiiIl; quantity; byghigh-speedproduction machinery, with arminimum use ,oftma- 1'138112L1. v v

-It-1iSg an additional 1 object. of :my invention.;.to

.. comprising; acapand acap-zseatz which do not re- '1 quire accuraterdimensional relations for-cooperation. i p

1 Other objects! and (features: of 1 my invention in o taken iniconjunction g-With the accompanying .drawingrinwhich similar reference; numerals r'efer to similar parts. lnithe drawing:

s. wise section;

Fig. vIII iss-anelevational yiew of the closure means .of Fig.1, but with thecap inopeningmu- "covering L position; I I

Figs. IV..,and.V.,are, sectional views taken-along :140 the lineslIV-1-IV and.V=-V; respectively, of Fig.1,

, .theselines being' transverse to the line II- II;

Figf'VI is a'view "similar tdth'atbf EigfIILrof aa modified Iormlof my invention, but withlthe cap omitted'ior clarity; V

'TFig." VII is a partperspectivei viewiof a; glass fflask having a closure means embodying my in- "vention; I

Fig. 'VIIIis a; partial-vertical-sectionalviewpf another-modificaition witli the cap omitted; and

T ly on the lines 1X and respectively,

of FigI VIII, .withl theucaptadded.

f Fomthe-purpose: of i'describing' preferred :forms -r';of--myi:in-ventinn;. Ira-have eshowm-inu Fig; L a ameorrmatefirr the fuliseand the: partiallmlclosing po- 5 ,uifta iw ll p i t f' pasty substancesfiand Fig. Isis a perspectiveviewzofl asmall-sized-eol l Figsi-IX and-X are' sectional views s'ubstantialacross the like, and in Fig. VII a glass container or flask 4, for liquids, as representative of receptacles embodying my invention. Each of the receptacles 2 and 4 comprises a top-wall which has .formed therewith, or secured thereto, a cap-seat; the discharge-opening for the receptacle passing through the top-wall and cap-seat. A cap slidable along the cap-seat controls the dischargeop ng.

In the drawin a cap-seat 6 is shown as having such a discharge-opening 8 passing through it and through a top-wall ID of the tube 2, or a topwall I2 of the flask 4. The cap-seat 6 comprises an extended body-portion I6 substantially T- shaped in cross-section, having a relatively wide leg member 18 projecting upward from the associated top-wall, and a top cross member 20 extending the length of the body-portion and extending slightly beyond the sides of the leg' [8 to provide a flange 22 on each. side thereof. The flanges 22 are substantially parallel and alike, being spaced slightly from the outer surface of the top-wall l or I2, toprovide a somewhat narrow cap-seat channel 24 below each flange 22, on the outer sides of the leg 18.

'The discharge-opening 8 passes through the upright leg I8, near an end of the body-portion IE, but not so close as to prevent proper closing of the discharge-opening. For a receptacle such as the tube 2 it is preferable to locate the discharge-openingatabout'the center of the topwall while for a receptacle such as the flask 4 it may be located close to the narrow edge of the long and narrow top-wall [2. For controlling the' discharge-opening a cap 26 is provided for the tube 2 and a structurally similar cap 26' for the flask 4.

The cap 26 comprises spaced side-Walls 28 bridged by anintegral top bridging' member 30 the tops of the side-walls 28, the bridging member being transversely ridged or otherwise roughened on its top surface to facilitate gripping. The bottom edge of each side-wall 28 is-directed inwardly to provide a runner or flange 32 which can be continuous or in the form of spaced lugs. The flanges 32 are spaced from the bottom surface of the bridging member 30 to provide an extended cap-channel on th'e'inner side of each side-wall 2 8. Each-channel on the cap extends for the full length of the cap, is of uniform width along its length, and is adapted to receive a flange 22. The flanges 32 are received inthe cap-seat channels 24. Consequently the cap and cap-seat flanges and channels ar interlocking means which prevents the cap from being lifted from the cap-seat- However, the flanges are relatively slidable in their respective channels so that the cap can be slid lengthwise between a closed position fully closing the disbeyond its closing and opening positions by stops -34 and 36 suitably located at the ends, of the channels 24. Preferably the stop or abutment be more or less and may be made dependent upon the location of the discharge-opening.

For a collapsible tube including the closure means describedthe body-portion Hi may be formed with the rest of the top-wall ill, the channels 24 being die-formed in the body-portion. One of the stops or abutments 34 or 36 may be formed at this stage also, the other being formed later by peening, swaging, crushing or other upsetting operation after the cap has been slid in ,place if the cap side-walls cannot spread. In

the embodiment shown in Fig. I, the extreme ends of the flanges 22 are forced into the channels 24 to provide the stops 36, the stops 34 comprising an upright wall-portion integral with the end of the body-portion.

22 are thinner transversely. The short transi tion from the thinner to the thicker portions of the flanges 22, at the middle thereof, is not abrupt.

but is smooth and gradual.

The enlarged or thicker portions may be pro-- vided on the flanges 22 by shaping the top contour of thecap-seat as shown in Fig. III, so that the tops-of the channels 24, which are defined by the lower or unler sides of the flanges 22, are straight and the top of the cross member :20 depressed along the open position of the cap;

or the bottom side of the flanges 22 may be shaped to provide the thicker portions, as shown 'in' Fig. VI, thereby leaving a smooth flat top nearest the discharge-opening is somewhat ac- 1 v curately positioned so that the cap will be stopped in satisfactory fully closing position with the discharge-opening substantially centrally beneath the cap; while the otherstopor abutment is located a distance from the first which will permit the cap to'move a distance slightly more than twice its length, although this distance may surface on the cross member 20 for the cap to slide on.

The cap-seat 6 comprises a first surface 37, within which the discharge-opening 8 terminates,

.anda second surface 38. The bottom horizontal part of the edge of the flange 22, that is occupied by the cap 25 in its fully closing position, is parallel to the surface 31 which is at least the length ofthe cap. The cap-bridging member 30 has'a bottom surface 39 which has the same shape as the first surface 31 of the cap-seat 6. In fully closing position of the cap, the surfaces 31 and 39 are evenly pressed togetheryaround the discharge-opening 8. In partially closi' 1g position of the cap, the portions of the surfate' 31 and 39 which are in contact also are evenly pressed together. The second surface 38 is a' vertical distance from the bottom edge of the flang 22, which is less than that between this edge and the surface 3'! so that the cap, in open position, is

loosely confined to the'cap-seat.

In the embodiments shown in Figs I-VII, the

thicker portion of each flange 22 and the associated cap-channel are dimensionedso that the former fits snugly in the latter in any closing position of the cap, and in such positions the bottom surface .39 of the bridging member 30 presses against the part of the surface 3'! which it contacts, with afuniform pressure, the pressing forces acting in'planes which are. normal to the direction in which the cap is moved to such closing position: For convenience I designate the aforesaid surfaces 31 and 39as pressure-surfaces.

' In these embodiments, the width of the cap-seat I pressure-surface 3'!- comprises 'the' horizontal 76 width of the leg 1 8131115 twice the horizontal width In the uncovering position of the] amiss? oi 's; flange- 2 2] Generally; the thicknessf the thicke portions of the flanges fl -should "be=ithe same as the verticalwidthot the cap-channels. Preferably, the cap side-Walls 28 =should"be comparatively thin, with-elasticity an'd'res'iliency, and

soastoprevent'itfrom' bowing. I i

When: the cap-seat is depressed in-the opening position ofthe cap, as shown in FigElII, less'material is required fonthe cap-seat ascompared to the. material required for a cap-seat having a flat to'passhown: in Fig.'VL l a I t :I-he pressure surfaces '31Land 39 i of the cap and cap-seat need not necessarily include thetop'of the cap-vseat flanges, -but may, if -desired,-be above lt.-" Such an embodimentisshown in:' Figs: VIII-X in: which: the top-pressure-surface 31' of the capseat is above, and discontinuous withirespectto, the cap-seat ,fianges' 22' V this embodiment', in

the bridgi ng member :30 relatively thick Fahd-stiff any closing position. of the cap r26, the abutting parts of-the 'fianges- 2'2" and 32",: which are :in contact at the joints.",Jcausethat part of the bridging member 30" which is on the pressure surfacei31":topress thereon; This action arises becauserthe horizontal bottom part of each.,,cap-. seat. flange. 2=2 which extends along; the closin position, is spaced a distancelbelo'wa the pressuresurface 4 ,31 which is substantially the same .as thedistance betweenothe horizontal-top of .the cap-.fiange 32 ,and'its bridgingmember 3'0'1. The surface .38" and the cap pressure-surface 13.9" are, not forcibly pressed togetherin any;position ofythe-cap.

p ,In the preferred embodiment,the, :bridging member of; the cap comprises a deformable seal consisting of a compressiblematerial 40,,such as cork, and an outer protective-foil 24,2: of thin metal,1such;as aluminum foil; such seals:being common. yfI-he bottom of the; bridgingsmemberis provided .with a shallow seat into which the cork and foil,-.are;fitted and retained so as not-to be displacedduring movementof thecap. In ,Fig'. II

. such a seat is shown as formed in the;bridging member 30 by'twolengthwise retainingxprojections 43. The foil may'projectoslightly beyond these projections opening. position of the cap, being forced upwardly when. the :capis moved to closing position, the cork: being, compressed; and insuring a tight mating ,fitbetween the :pres-, sure-surfaces of the cap and cap-seat. i

In the embodiment shown, in Fig. I thepressure su'rfaces of the cap and cap-seatyin closed position or the cap, extend from both sides of the discharge-opening for relativelysignificant distances ;,so that thedischarge-opening canv be tightlyclosed "Without ,requiring the use of :excessive orinordinate manual force to move-the In opening v position, the cap is :fairly looseqon the. cap-seat. -When the cap is moved toward its closing position, the gradual increase, in the thickness of i the flanges .I227 .insures proper. engagement of ,the cap side-wall. channels with :the

thicker'portions ofth flanges 22 and the ready slidingrof the cap to closingposition withthe pressure between; the cap andicapeseat gradually increased-as the cap initially moves intorengage ment withthe thicker portions of theflanges, that is, into closing position. i i i Preferably the total-,pr,essure-,force betweenthe cap and cap-seat,- l lioduced by sliding the cap on the thicker portions of the flanges 22 or 22",

should not be So great as to make manual sliding motion of the cap too diflicult, but should be suflicient to cause the cap to remain in closed posltiongorrini a partially tclosinglpositionewhere an =edger of.-:the. cap: cuts: across thecoutlet endyof the d'ischarge -opening=:8.' v

#:Bbcaus'e the':pressure tbetween athe coactlrig pressure-surfaces ofthercap and cap-seat is; substantially normal, I that is, perpendicular,- "to the general direction of movement oftheicap, the frictional characteristicscofi the cap and ca'p seat can frequently be ignored, the cap remaining; in whatever'closing :position it is placed because there isrnoicomponent'of' force tendingto d1s:-,

meansehasacap-seat of glass applied :to .a glass containersorztop-wall.

"In glass receptacles, such as the flask :Mof 'E'igiVII, provided with the closure means of my invention, it is frequently advantageous: to locate the glass fcap-seat very :near or substantially "at an.edgea.ofthe top-wall l2,and the dischargeopeningnearer the end 0f the cap-seat, which iszatowardzsuchedge so that the liquidcontents ofrthe receptacle will pour ea'sily. Thecapi'ZG for such cap-seat is provided with side-walls which can resiliently spread so that 'the cap can be snapped oriotherwise forceddownwardly'over the body-portion of the cap-seat. This permits the cap-seatwithall its end'stops to be integrally formed in the .mak'ing'of. the receptacle; .To facilitate placingthe-cap onthecap-seat the in turnedilugs or flanges'32' of the cap .26 areupro vided with inner edges. which are curved relatively upwardly and inwardly so as to slide readily over the :top. cross member 20 and graduallyspread the cap side-walls 28' "apart untilatheiinturned flanges 32 pass below1thecap seat flanges/22 whereuponthe side-walls 128' of the cap. will spring into .a position' where' the flanges 32' interlock with the flanges -22'; -the flanges 132' having flat upper surfaces for sliding along-the fiatlower surfaces of theflanges 22".

Asuitable one-piece resilient cap may bemade from any-number of present-day plasticsfor otherwise suitablyrformed; v Lhave shown the top surface '3 ltof the capseatiin I'the embodiments described in Figs. I-VII, as that and smooth, the cooperating under sur face 39 of the: cap being of the same general shape soas gto'fit it; but his obvious that these surfaces may beotherwise' fitted orformed. For,

exampla'the cap-seat surface may be'lmade iconvex; instead of flat and the cap surface concave to correspond, as shown in Figs. VIII-X.

:In the drawing, the receptacles have been shown aupright, rbut the top surfaces of the capseatsia'nd thelbottomisides of the cap-seatflanges are' respectively outer surfaces and inner surfaces, with'respect to :the body-portionsofxthe receptaclespin which the contents can be stored.

ingsmy copending application, Serial No. 3'70;590-,

filed December 18, 1940, which is hereby super seded, that the instant; application be -a continuation-in-lpart.

.. I;claim: i

1. A closure means for a receptacle, comprising an extended cap-seat having a dischargeopening passing therethrough, said cap-seat having sides and a cap-receiving top provided with a pressure. surface around said discharge-open ing; a cap restrictably slidable along said cap- .seat to an open positionuncovering said; discharge-opening and to positions respectively fully and partially closing said discharge-opening; said top pressure surface extending forsomelength I from said discharge-opening smoothly fin the: direction-lines in which the cap can be moved;;

said cap comprising spaced side-walls and a bridging member having a bottom pressure surface which fits said top pressure surface; said cap-seat sides and cap side-walls being provided with-cooperating two-part means for interlocking the cap and the cap-seat, said cooperating means comprising flange means on one of said parts and means on the other of said parts cooperatingwith said flange means for causing said bottom pressure surface of said bridging member tobe abutting and matingly pressed.

against said top pressure surface with a substantially even pressure, when in closing position, and for causing it to be substantially free from pressure, when in open position, said 00-' operating means comprising a transition portion for causing smooth coaction of said parts as the cap is moved between said closing and open positions.

2 A closure means for a receptacle, comprising an .extended'cap-seat having a dischargeopening passing therethrough, said cap-seat having side and a cap-receiving top provided with a pressure surface around said discharge-opem ing; a cap confinably slidable along said capsaid cap-seat pressure surface which is at least said predetermined distance; said part of said lower edge, said upper sliding edge and said pres-,- sure surfaces being substantially parallel when the cap is in closing position; said pressure surfaces being of substantially the same shape whereby they will mate when pressed together; said lower edge having a second part which is a distancefrom the top of said cap-seat, that is less than said predetermined distance. i. 4. The closure means of claim 3 in which said lower edge of said cap-seat flange means is substantially straight for substantially its entire length. v 5. The closure means of claim 3 in which the said cap-seat flange means comprisesa smoothly tending from said wall near an edge thereof,

said body-portion having a smooth'top surface comprising a first and second portion, said opening passing through said body-portionand terminating at said first portion of said top surface, said body-portion having flange means spaced from said wall for providing a channel meansfor interlocking a cap slidable along said body-porsubstantially uniform thickness along fully closing position for the cap, and a portion of lesser thickness along the open position for the cap,

said cap side-wall means being provided with channel means; said first portion of said flange means being of thickness to snugly fit said channel means; the bottom of said first portion of said flange means being substantially parallel to the said top pressure surface, said flange means having a gradual transition portion between its said first portion and its second-mentioned portion. I

3. A closure means for a receptacle, comprising an extended cap-seat having a discharge-opening passing therethrough, said cap-seat having sides and a cap-receiving top provided with a smooth pressure surface around said discharge- I opening; a cap confinably slidable along said cap tion between closing position for said opening along said first portion of said top surface and an opening position along said second portion a closure means comprising a cap-seat provided with a dischargeopening, said cap-seat having a flange along which a cap can be slid-betweenopen and closed positions for controlling said discharge-' opening, said flange having a portion of uniform thickness for maintaining even pressure between the cap and cap-seat, when in closed or partially closed position, in combination with a portion of lesser thickness and a smooth transition portion between them. I I I 8. A receptacle having a closure means comprising a cap-seat provided with 'a dischargeopening, said cap-seat having an outer surface and a flang along which a cap can be slidto occupy openposition, partially closing-position or fully closing position for controlling said discharge-openingj said flange having a portion with an inner surface in spaced parallel relation to the part of said outer surface, which includes positionsin combination with another portionv having an inner surface spaced a lesser distance from the outer surface, and a transition portion between said flange portions.

I SIDNEY J. RUDOLPH. 

